Animam meam dilectam a 5

This striking motet for five voices (SAATB) by Orlando di Lasso sets a dramatic Latin text, lamenting betrayal and abandonment. The lyrics speak of a soul delivered into the hands of the wicked, becoming like a lion in the wilderness, prey to adversaries. The composer vividly portrays the despair of being cast into a desert of solitude, with no one to offer recognition or kindness. The soaring five-part writing, with its rich texture and contrapuntal interplay, powerfully conveys the emotional weight of the text, creating a profound and moving sacred work.